The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-18
COLONEL JOHNSON'S SCHEME
How He Is Shaping Things Politically
in the Interest Of His Company.
Moveme nts That Indicate That He Will Make
q Desperate Effort to Get Control OF
the New Board of Aldermen.

It is believed that Col Johnsons efforts to Sc
cure delay in regard to the requirements the
Council and Board Of Aldermen have placed
upon him relative to his street-car service are
but the prelimir aries to more aggressive action.
next winter. By the beginning of the year ne
hopes to have everything in shape through new
members, to restore friendly relations
with those bodies Heretofore he has trusted
more in the Council than in the Board of Alder
men, but it is given out. and there is enough evil
dence to warrant the truth of the statement, that
he will endeavor to intrust his chances altogether
with the aldermen. Within the last month the
disposition OF both bodies has been
to arraien the Colonel in every par
ticular for his shortcomings. The
records unpleasant reading to him. and so
long certain resolutions remain undisturbed
they mean to him the expenditure of considera-
bio money and the loss of one two valuable
rights OF way. But these resolutions not
the worst of the situation. T ae conductors or
dinance has passed its seccn,' eading in the
Council and will doubtless boz to the Board
of Aldermen in time for its next meeting. If
this is passed and becomes effective. Colonel
johnson will be forced to do that which he has
for years refused to do, and he is not the man
to yield without struggle In tho last ditch.
The ordinance is now in the hands of a special
committee of the Council, and one that will
doubtless hasten the measure, SO far as it is con-
cerned. to completion. 1t IS thought that the
Democratic councilmen, with Edenharter in
the van will vote against it. but it will pass. In
the Board of Aldermen the strongest resistance
will be found. and if it does pass that body the
Colonel will. it is supposed. try by various
means to delay carrying 1t into OBJECT. He hopes
TO succeed in this we'll as in practically multi
fving the resolutions until he has brought all his
political influence to bear at the municipal cleo
i
especially aldermen. friendly to his He
thinks that the aldermen, account of their
fewer numbers and the overwhelming Demo
cratic majority in or two districts, will give
him a better chance for carving out his pur-
poses. These purposes are outlined SO far in an
endeavor to have the resolutions unfavorable to
him. 80 far adopted. null6ed. and the conductors
ordinance if it is passed repealed
The ColonePs agents are already busy in the
several wards and districts, but as few council
manic nominations have been made it is hard to
define his success so far. Among those nomi-
mated by the Democrats who can be counted on
to do service for johnson are Michael j. Burns
one of his employees, in the Fifteenth, and VIM. j.
Parkinson, a saoon-keeper in the Sixteenth
Then there is Colonel Hicklen who was so badly
defeated for the Legislature last fall These
three mon in wards whore the street car
company has had heretofore potent influence
Sim Coy is the nominee for reelection in the
Eighteenth and his position on the streetcar
question is the same that OF Burns, whom he
controls.
In their aldermanic nominations the Demo-
Gratis nave so far named men VINO can De relleo
upon for the utmost party service whore the in
forests OF the street car company and the party
become identical. But it is probable some
change will be made in the candidates before
the election. as Captain Sockwel. and VIM F.
Piel. ir., in the Third district, and Frank Maus
in the Second, wavering in their purpose to run
In the Fourth district, though, III. w. Laut and
Tim Clark are supposed to be friendly to John |
son. Laut is known to be so. and 80 for
Clark he is named to succeed Ike King He is
the latters turnkey at the Jail, Kings infiu-
ence in the board is to be continued, provided |
Clark is elected In the Fifth district John |
Rail and Julius F. Reinecke are the candidates. |
The first named is said to be opposed to John |
son. but Reinecke gave him assistance in the |
Council when the street-car question i |
tating that body. As the Democratic ( l.. /
degree OF certainty on the help OF three-Laut |
Clark and Reinecke. Crosby, reno minated In |
the Second district. WILL it is pected, assist the
Colonel if the Colonel will assist the party. |
interests are involved. Johnson may get his vote |
for any thing he wants. The street car boss then |
requires only two more to give him q majority. |
and only one to put him into position to tie the |
board in any street-car proposition against his
interests. To get these two, one. il he
not do better. it is suggested that he will try
secure the nominations in tho Third district, |
where it is very probable Sockwell and Piel will |
decline to run. It is suggested that may be john
sons individual influence has something to do |
with their unwilingness to 90 to the Board of
Aldermen.
AS the campaign progresses the Colonel's
that of his agents is observable now only in the
It's results will come to the sur
face before long and show that the Democratic
party is to be led by him in the municipal cleo
ton. With him it means desperate fight with
all possible means and methods that promise
votes for the restoration of his control over the
Council and Board of Aldermen.